So, you may or may not have heard about this little thing called the Southeast Asian Games that’s coming to Singapore next week. Perhaps you’ve seen a banner or two in the MRT? Singers has the absolute pleasure of hosting this awesome biannual sports tourney for the first time in 22 years and they’re going all out, with 402 events spread out over twelve days and eleven countries battling it out for the gold. We’ve put together a little guide to give you the rundown on the best events and more deets on what’s going down (along with which roads will become temporary traffic headaches). With many events free to the public, we think it’s a fantastic way to keep the kiddos occupied over school holidays!

Who’s involved?

There are eleven countries competing this year. Excluding Singapore, the other ten are our friends across the border Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Laos, Brunei, Philippines and Myanmar.

Where’s it being held?

It’s being held all over the island, with heaps happening at the shiny new Sports Hub and plenty of central action at Marina Bay and The Padang. Be sure to check the website for detailed info on exact locations so you don’t wind up in the wrong spot, mama!

When’s it kicking off?

The 28th SEA Games technically run from 29 May, starting with footie, up until the closing ceremony on 16 June. I say technically because the Opening Ceremony isn’t actually until 5 June, which is a little confusing, but well worth shooting over to the massive National Stadium for. Just to make things extra confusing, the official torch parade andtorch lighting ceremonywill take place on 4 June at the Marina Bay promontory.

How do I get tickets?

So unfortunately tickets to a few events have already been snapped up (including the opening and closing ceremonies which is terribly depressing), but there’s still quite a bit you can grab tickets to go see.

Tickets to the above are going for about $10-20. We’ve heard that Billiards & Snooker, Equestrian and Gymnastics are all selling super fast, so we’d recommend scooping up those soon if you’re keen on those. There’s also some non-ticketed events below that would be super fun to go see.

As with the paid events, you do have to book in for the free events. If that all sounds great, then you can head over to the schedule to see exactly what’s happening when and what’s going to suit your undoubtedly busy schedules. (The life of a mama is never a quiet one, that’s for sure…)

What are we looking forward to?

As southeast Asian locals, it’s no surprise that we’re going to be charting a course for popular favourites like Badminton, Table Tennis and Squash — many of the world’s top athletes in these sports come from our region! There’s also the really cool stuff that I’ve never even considered before like Sepaktakraw and Pencak Silat;so what if I can’t pronounce them, they still seem like they’d be a fun change from what’s usually on the telly at sports bars!

If the weather’s good then watching a spot of Sailing, Waterskiing or Wakeboarding would be a great way to get out and about with the kiddos. Of course, for those of you still buzzing from the Pacquiao and Mayweather fight, Boxing’s got to be number one and Basketball’s always a fun shout for a spot of adrenalin.

There’s also the fantastic SEA Games Carnivalthat’s on every day between 31 May–16 June from 10am at the swanky Singapore Sports Hub. Not only will they have great performances and no end of bouncy castles, there’s also more unique events like Laser Tag and even walk on water! Of course, it wouldn’t be an SEA Games Carnival without a dash of sportiness; kiddos will be able to participate in fun sports activities after being inspired by all the professional athletes. Who knows, you might even meet the mascot Nila!

We’ve listed all the road closures below for your reference mama, but want to wish all of the athletes competing good luck. May the best teams (and athletes) win!

Road Closures

This one’s not very fun, but pretty important if you’re trying to navigate the wild world of road closures around this time. We’ve put a big list of them all below, though you can also nip on over to the SEA Games website to see the exact breakdown.

5, 16 June; 3pm-1am, Opening and Closing CermoniesThe exit from Nicoll Highway to Stadium road will be restricted. The exit from Nicoll Highway to Stadium Drive will be restricted. The exit from Tanjong Rhu Road to Tanjong Rhu Bridge will be fully closed. Stadium Boulevard will be restricted where it intersects with Stadium Boulevard and Stadium Crescent.

The East Coast Parkway Service Road will be closed from Changi Coastal Road to Car Park E2. The car parks E2, E3, F1, F2 and G at East Coast Parkway Service Road.

7 June, Marathon Nila RunStadium Drive will be fully closed from Stadium Road through to Stadium Boulevard and Stadium Walk from 12.01am-10am. Stadium Way will be fully closed from Stadium Crescent through to Tanjong Rhu Road between 5-8am. Tanjong Rhu Road will be shut from Tanjong Rhu Bridge to Fort Road from 5am-8am. Two lanes on Fort Road will be shut from Meyer Road to Tanjong Rhu Flyover from 5am-8am. East Coast Parkway Service Road will be fully closed from Fort Road to Big Splash Car Park between 5-9am. Marina East Drive will be fully closed from Fort Road to Marina Coastal Expressway between 5am-9am. The Marina Barrage Bridge will be shut from 5-9am. A lane on Bayfront Avenue will be shut from Marina Bay Sands towards Raffles Avenue between 5-9am. Two lanes on Republic Avenue/Boulevard will be shut between Crawford Street and Raffles Boulevard between 6-10am. Two lanes on Nicoll Highway will be shut between Mountbatten Road and Middle Road between 6-10am. The carriageway will be closed on Rhu Cross from Marina Bay Golf Course to Tanjong Rhu Park Connector between 5-9am. The carriageway will be closed on Stadium Road from Nicoll Highway to Stadium Drive between 12.01am-10am. Stadium Walk will be fully closed from Kallang Theatre to Car Park 4 between 12.01-10am.

9-10 June, Cycling TrainingThe carriageway on Marina Gardens Drive will be shut from Marina Boulevard and Marina Grove between 7am-1pm. Lanes 3,4 and 5 on Marina Boulevard will be shut between Marina Gardens Drive and Marina Mall from 9am-1pm. The carriageway at Marina Mall will be closed from Marina Boulevard and Marina Grove between 9am-1pm. Marina Grove will be fully shut between Marina Mall and Marina Gardens Drive between 9am-1pm. The carriageway at Marina Mall (towards Marina Boulevard) will be shut between Marina Boulevard and Marina Grove between 6am-1:30pm. A contraflow will be introduced at Marina Gardens Drive between Marina Boulevard and Marina Grove between 8am-1pm.

11 June, CyclingThe carriageway on Marina Gardens Drive will be shut between Marina Boulevard and Marina Grove between 2am-1:30pm. Lanes 3,4 and 5 will be shut between 2am and 1:30pm. The carriage on Sheares Avenue will be shut between Marina Boulevard and East Coast Parkway between 5am-1:30pm. East Coast Parkway will be shut towards Marina Boulevard between Sheares Avenue and East Coast Parkway Exit 14B from 5am-1:30pm. The carriage on Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway towards East Coast Parkway will be shut after Exit 1 from 5am-1:30pm. The carriage on East Coast Parkway Exit 14 towards Marina Boulevard is blocking off entrance to Kalalng-Paya Lebar Expressway between 5am-1:30pm. A contraflow will be introduced on Marina Gardens Drive between Marina Boulevard and Marina Grove between 2am-1:30pm. You will only be able to turn right onto Marina Boulevard on Marina Gardens Drive between Marina Boulevard and Marina Grove between 2am-1:30pm. You will not be able to turn left onto Marina Gardens Drive from Marina Boulevard between Marina Gardens and Sheares Avenue between 5am-1:30pm. The East Coast Parkway towards Marina Boulevard will only lead to Marina Coastal Expressway after Tanjong Rhu Flyover between 5am-1:30pm.

12 June, Cycling CompetitionThe carriageway on Marina Gardens Drive will be shut from Marina Boulevard and Marina Grove between 3am-1:30pm. A contraflow will be introduced at the Eastbound portion. Lanes 3,4 and 5 will be shut on Marina Boulevard between Marina Gardens Drive & Marina Mall between 7am-1:30pm. The carriage at Marina Mall will be shut between Marina Boulevard & Marina Grove between 6am-1:30pm. Marina Grove will be fully closed between Marina Mall and Marina Gardens Drive between 6am-1:30pm.

13-14 June, CyclingThe carriage on Marina Gardens Drive will be shut between Marina Boulevard and Marina Grove between 2am-2pm. It’ll also be shut between Marina Boulevard and Central Boulevard between 8am-8:30. Central Boulevard will be shut between Marina Gardens Drive and Shenton Way between 8-8:30am. Cross Street will be closed between Shenton Way and Robinson Road between 8-8:30am. Robinson Road will be shut between Cross Street and Finlayson Green between 8-8:30am. The carriage on Collyer Quay will be shut from Robinson Road to Fullerton Road between between 8-8:30am. The carriage on Fullerton Road will be shut from Collyer Quay to Esplanade Drive between 8-8:30am. The carriage on Esplanade Drive will be shut between Fullerton Road and Stamford Road from 8-8:30am. Stamford Road will be shut between Nicoll Highway and Armenian Street between 8-8:30am. Fort Canning Link will be shut from Stamford Road and Penang Road between 8-8:30am. Penang Road will be shut from Fort Canning Link to Somerset Road between 8-8:30am. Somerset Road will be closed from Penang Road to Grange Road between 8-8:30am. Grange Road will be shut between Somerset Road and Orchard Link between 8-8:30am. Orchard Boulevard will be shut between Orchard Link and Paterson Road between 8-8:30am. Paterson Road will be shut towards Grange Road between Orchard Boulevard and Orchard Road between 8-8:30am. Orchard Road will be shut between Scotts Road and Prinsep Street between 8-8:30am. Bras Basah Road will be shut between Prinsep Street and Nicoll Highway between 8-8:30am. The carriage on Nicoll Highway will be shut between Bras Basah Road and Stamford Road between 8-8:30am. The carriage on Esplanade Drive will be shut between Nicoll Highway and Fullerton Road between 8-8:30am. The carriage on Fullerton Road will be shut from Esplanade Drive to Collyer Quay between 8-8:30am. The carriage on Collyer Quay will be shut between Fullerton Road and Marina Boulevard between 8-8:30am. Lanes 1,2 and 3 on Marina Boulevard will be shut between Collyer Quay and Sheares Avenue between 4am-1pm. Bayfront Avenue will be shut all day. Lanes 1,2 and 3 on Sheares Avenue will be shut towards Changi Airport between Marina Boulevard and Exit 15 on Rochor Road between 6am-3pm. The carriage on East Coast Parkway will be shut towards Changi Aiport from Exit 15 to East Coast Parkway Exit14A (Fort Road) between 6am-3pm. Slip Road through to Fort Road Exit 14A will be shut between East Coast Parkway to Fort Road between 4am-1:30pm. Slip Road onto Marina Coastal Expressway will be shut between Fort Road to Marina Coastal Expressway between 4am-1:30pm. Maxwell Road will be shut towards South Bridge Road from Marina Coastal Expressway to Shenton Way between 4am-1:30pm. Shenton Way will be shut between Maxwell Road to Raffles Quay between 4am-1:30pm. Raffles Quay will be closed between Boon Tat Street and Cross Street between 4am-1:30pm. Lanes 4,5 and 6 on Raffles Quay will be shut between Cross Street and Finlayson Green between 4am-1:30pm. Marina Link towards Ayer Rajah Expressway will be shut between Marina Coastal Expressway Exit 3 and Marina Boulevard between 9am-1:30pm. Marina Coastal Drive will be closed from Marina Link to Marina Gardens Drive between 9am-1:30pm.

Megan is an aspiring superheroine, avid wanderluster and now an editorial assistant at Sassy Media Group. She graduated from the University of Warwick’s creative writing programme and is somehow still obsessed with words after reassembling them over her degree. She writes about everything she sees: food, fashion, beauty, poetry… Who said bloggers need niches?